Dark Skies, Up Ahead

When Haruki, Anemone, and Flare went up onto the deck, three griffons clad in silver plating and saddles adorned with a coat-of-arms depicting a boat crossed with two swords had already perched themselves at the edge of the ship.

Surrounded by wary Redwing Pirates, three men dressed in blue and green garb marched between the crowd with prideful steps. They approached Flare and the other two and raised a fist in salute.

The man between the two other soldier-looking fellows wore a dark, ragged cape over his uniform, but the cape bore the mark of the Federacy—a sigil depicting what seemed to be a goddess figure rising from the water. Behind his thick, round glasses were eyes sharpened from knowledge and battle. He wore a smile that screamed “I am in control.”

“Well met, Flare,” the man said with mocking familiarity. “Though I suppose this isn’t the first time we’ve met. It has been, what, years?”

Flare returned a salute, though she remained stone-faced. “Commander of the Western Navies: Lias del Romero. It’s been two years, I believe.”

Lias studied his surroundings, then looked over Flare’s shoulders and focused on Anemone. “So my messenger tells the truth. You’ve indeed procured the princess of Ka-Ilyah. You’ve made me very happy, Flare.”

“I’d rather you not speak with that tone,” Flare said, rebuking his condescending tone.

“But I am happy. Aren’t you? You and your crew get to live in luxury for your upcoming years.”

“About that,” Flare said, then cleared her throat.

“Hm? What is it?”

“I wish to alter the deal.”

The pirates in earshot recoiled, confused. Though Lias raised an eyebrow, he didn’t seem all too surprised. In fact, from Haruki’s point of view, Lias looked like he expected it.

“Surely you don’t intend to surrender the princess?”

“No. I simply wish to alter my reward.”

“Oh?” Lias leaned in with great interest. “Speak freely. Let’s hear it.”

“Have you heard of what happened to Fort Tyranis?”

“Of course,” Lias said, finger circling his chin. “Word travels fast around these parts. I’ve heard you liberated it from East Confederation slavers.” He paused, then spoke with a pitched voice. “Ah—I must thank you for removing that thorn on our side.”

“You can thank me by granting me permission to use that land to build a haven for my pirates.”

Lias’ eyes sharpened further. “Oh, I see. So that’s your aim here.”

“I won’t ask for years worth of riches—only enough to live and get by. But in exchange, I want us Redwings to settle on that island, and for you to not collect territory when your civil war ends.”

“You do realize that the island is rich with Titanseye, yes? It’s of great value for the Western Navies, should we reclaim it.”

Flare straightened, looking Lias in the eye. “With how much you promised us, I reckon you see greater value in the elven princess. I don’t know what you want her for, or what value she carries, but it sure sounded like she carries her worth in gold.”

“Astute of you, Flare,” Lias said. “A bold claim.”

“Am I wrong though?”

Silence settled between them—only the soft crashing of waves resounded in the distance.

“You are not wrong,” Lias said, voice faltering playfully. He looked aside and up the sky. “But that does change things. And in the end, I’m not the final arbiter whether that decision goes through.”

“Then who is?”

“That information is beyond you. You only need to know a higher power exists. You need not know its thoughts and machinations.”

Flare raised an eyebrow. “You sound like you’re about to ask the Goddess.”

“For what it’s worth, they may as well be one and the same.”

“That sounds like blasphemy.”

“Call it what you may. We at the Federacy accept all faiths, even for you dwarves who worship rock and stone. I ask you not to judge us in turn.”

Lias stepped aside, the guards beside him carving a path with drawn spears, pushing Flare to the side. He glanced at Anemone with half-lidded eyes, but eventually turned his attention towards Haruki.

“You,” he said, calling the young man’s attention. “The machine tied behind the Legrassi. Is that yours?”

Haruki nodded reluctantly. “It is.”

“I’ve not seen such a machine with my own two eyes, but I have heard descriptions that seemed to befit it. What kind of machine is it?”

He’s heard of something like it? Was it possible that Ako had communicated what a plane was to him? She was part of the Federacy too, after all.

“It’s a plane. It flies.”

“Flies?” Lias chuckled once, like he knew more than he let on. “What an interesting machine.”

Flare turned to Lias, expression fierce. “He’s not for sale, and neither is the machine.”

“Ah.” Lias stepped away, though it looked like he was only pretending to be shocked. “My mistake. Our deal only extends to the princess,” he said while grinning at Anemone. She visibly balked. “I shouldn’t get too greedy.”

“Thank you,” Flare said. “So do we have a deal or not?”

“We do. But…” Lias exaggerated a grimace. “As I said, I’ll have to refer to a greater power. I don’t want to disappoint such a loyal, beautiful client after all.”

Flare shrugged.

Lias retreated a distance away from Flare, nearer his griffon. “We’ll come to a decision tomorrow at noon. Come to our previously established meeting point then. While we deliberate, you shall keep the princess, and keep her well you shall. Yes?”

“I’m fine with that.” Flare kept her eyes forward, though Haruki could make her lips creep into a smile. She must have thought she had already won.

The Federacy soldiers rode their griffons and flew out in the direction of the Inverted City. A quiet wind blew as the crew of the Legrassi returned to work, but their grumbling already began to echo throughout the ship. Haruki felt like they wanted to say something—anything at Flare, but perhaps she had beaten them into submission so much that no one dared question her?

Haruki put a hand on his hip and glared at Flare.

“It sounds like a trap, if you ask me.”

“What does?” Flare asked with an annoyed tone.

“I don’t think he’s gonna agree to the deal. I’ve a feeling he’s probably gonna pry Anemone from your cold, dead hands.”

“He literally had us keep his biggest asset. He’s not going to kill us just like that.”

“That’s true, but…” Haruki chewed on his lip, fighting the dropping sensation beneath his gut. She was right—they were still holding Anemone, which was good enough reason for Lias to not kill them on sight.

But something wasn’t right.

A bad feeling. Intuition. Like Lias may just be crazy enough to risk it all just to kill Flare.

“Besides,” Flare pat Haruki on the shoulder. “You’re stronger than them. We can take ‘em if they try anything, yeah?”

“Right…” Haruki’s voice trailed off, doubtful. Flare sauntered back into the deck, through her footfalls, too, were soft and unsure.

“Sir Haruki,” Anemone said in a whisper, coming up to Haruki’s side. “That man, Lias… he is going to kill you and Flare.”

“I know. I just know he’s crazy enough to do it.”